Ch.276The Path to the Belka Archipelago (2)

Crunch! Crackle!

This strange sound was coming from the armored division’s training ground.

Mobility training to break through sandy beaches and coral zones was underway, but as both I and the staff had predicted, the excessively heavy armored units were struggling to move through the shallow coral and fine sand.

“As expected, tactical mobility seems impossible… We’ll have to utilize the shuttles.”

“They could still work as fixed gun emplacements. The lighter armored vehicles maintain some mobility, so they can still fulfill their original purpose.”

I nodded.

The problem was that our military operated heavy-armored units optimized for full-scale warfare, which were extremely difficult to utilize effectively on such soft terrain.

Fortunately, with our 100 shuttles, transporting tanks to desired positions wasn’t a major issue.

It’s just that having the armored division move independently would be far more efficient than shuttles going back and forth.

“Here… here… and here… There are several commanding heights (the highest points that overlook the surrounding area). We should establish fire bases by positioning artillery and machine guns there, deploy tanks along the coastline, and station mechanized infantry (infantry with mobility secured by riding in armored vehicles or trucks) in civilian residential areas as reserves.”

“Good. Naval gunfire should provide adequate coverage.”

The chief of staff nodded at my words.

Whatever the enemy is preparing, they cannot surpass us in firepower. Though they have an aircraft carrier, it’s probably just equipped with rusty old-generation fighters or bombers. Even if they had the latest fighters, they wouldn’t pose much of a threat.

The Sky Warden’s air defense capabilities have proven robust enough to withstand the combined assault of three nations’ air forces, and an aircraft carrier can’t launch planes like a beehive anyway.

At most, a single squadron—about 3-6 fighters—will come buzzing around. We’ll just shoot them down with missiles or CIWS before they get close.

It’s frustrating that we can’t destroy the ship itself due to collateral damage… but once they’ve exhausted all their weapons, they’ll have no choice but to retreat.

In that window, my soldiers aboard the shuttles will airdrop, seize control of the vessel, and evacuate the hostages inside…

This should work on other ships too… no, it must work.

“They really fight dirty, these pirates…”

“I agree. Beyond using civilians as shields, they’re expanding their influence through human trafficking. Truly horrific behavior.”

That’s right.

Wouldn’t erasing them with nuclear fire be a far more ethical act?

The citizens of Long Legs whom I killed would probably think so too.

Isn’t that right, Emperor Saburo?

[Having already reincarnated them, I’m not quite sure.]

Ah…

Well, at least they got to be reborn as babies!

*

“Heavy traffic. The ships are quite large, suggesting substantial cargo volume.”

“That’s one reason why the Belka Archipelago thrives as a trading port. It’s the gateway connecting the Yenisei and Hyacinth continents, after all.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

Located between the Yenisei and Hyacinth continents, the Belka Archipelago was quite large, capable of supporting a population of several million while being ideally situated to flourish as a trading port.

Since Wood Elves were the first to pioneer these islands, several World Trees grew throughout the archipelago. As a result, the dense canopy (branches and leaves that block sunlight) shielded against the intense summer sun, keeping the islands cool in summer and preventing snowfall in winter.

It was the perfect place for sailors—who typically endure harsh working conditions—to enjoy sweet respite, but unfortunately, it had the fatal flaw of extremely low defensive capabilities.

The prosperity of the Belka Archipelago, home to 4.3 million people, was built entirely on the vast timber resources exported by Wood Elves, the food and alcohol sold to visiting ships and sailors for supplies, and entertainment establishments.

Naturally, this required covering the islands with rum production facilities, plantations, vast forests, and enormous pumps to draw up the tremendous amount of water needed to maintain the World Trees, leaving absolutely no room for military installations.

Moreover, being surrounded by sea meant they would inevitably need to develop a navy, which would require converting profitable trading ports into naval bases, inevitably leading to a decline in GDP.

“Being self-sufficient while developing the strength to protect oneself… that’s quite a difficult concept to realize.”

“Isn’t that why mercenaries and adventurers are still thriving? There are too many nations that cannot maintain standing armies, and just as many seeking mercenaries for short-term conflicts.”

“Hmm.”

I nodded in agreement.

This request… well, technically Seriya was the one who received the request, and I was merely an adventurer recruited by her.

The only thing that distinguished me from other adventurers was that I commanded private soldiers as an Apostle.

Of course, my status as an Apostle was essentially a free pass, so there was no way I would forgo compensation.

Even as an Apostle of the Sun, a “minor” religion, an Apostle’s seat is still an Apostle’s seat. If mortals dared to disrespect an Apostle and try to brush it off, they would be torn apart by enraged believers.

By the believers of the Four Great Gods, that is.

One might wonder why followers of the Four Great Gods would be angered if the Sun’s Apostle were mistreated, but surprisingly, the Four Great Gods held the Sun and Moon in very high regard.

Since the Sun and Moon had survived well enough until now, they couldn’t possibly strike them down, and they tended to elevate the Sun and Moon to exploit the fact that an apostle blessed by them had destroyed the Empire.

Above all, whether it’s the Sun and Moon or the Four Great Gods, insulting a deity who has reached the stage where their existence proves themselves is tantamount to blasphemy against all divine positions.

Just as injustice in one place is a declaration of war against justice everywhere.

“What will the Wood Elves offer us?”

“Well… most likely something related to the World Trees, I’d imagine.”

“World Trees…”

Enormously thick, tall, and massive trees that grow over thousands of kilometers.

Nurturing such trees is the aspiration of all elves, and moreover, it’s practically the raison d’être of the Wood Elf race.

The origins of Wood Elves trace back to elves who isolated themselves in forests in protest against other elves who were gradually distancing themselves from caring for the World Trees.

As a result, forest spirits dwelled within them, giving them greenish skin like goblins (though calling a Wood Elf goblin-like would make you a target), and they were born with the ability to communicate with the forest’s consciousness.

“But do we need a World Tree? It doesn’t seem right to sell it either.”

“True… Getting paid in currency would be ideal, but our rates are quite steep, aren’t they?”

“I suppose they are…”

The price of a powerful independent military group with over 50,000 combat troops, thousands of armored units, an airship exceeding 200,000 tons, and over 100 shuttles is certainly not low.

Moreover, with the divine attribute coating, if the employer doesn’t treat us with the respect due to a head of state despite being just a mercenary group, it’s not just the employer’s head that will roll but their sovereignty—literally, you get what you pay for.

“Seeing this, connections really are remarkable. We were comrades for just a few months, yet look at the results.”

“Well… faith played a bigger role. But without those connections, I wouldn’t have recognized the issue of faith, so… ultimately, yes, connections deserve the credit.”

School ties… regional ties… living in this world makes you realize how surprisingly small it is.

It might be because if you’re engaged in a specific profession, you inevitably meet others in the same field wherever you go, but if people knew how many spend their entire lives in just one city or even a single village, most would be astonished.

“So meeting many people is best… I’ve met quite a few people myself.”

“Have you?”

“But you can’t talk with the dead. That’s unfortunate.”

I’ve never particularly regretted not killing fewer people.

After all, having connections and being able to utilize them are entirely different matters.

I was born and raised in a place without compromise or negotiation.

Changing my nature now would be… too difficult, wouldn’t it?

“We’ll be celebrating the new year in the Belka Archipelago. Already the second year of the 13th century.”

“Time really flies.”

“Yes. It truly does.”

The 51st day of the 18th month, 1202.

Only nine days remained until the new year began.